Mentor Advantage
Training Seminar
Those who have torches will
pass them on to others
--Plato
www.unk.edu/committees/staff_senate/mentor.htm
Committee Members
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Dee Ellingson, Chair
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Counseling 865-8248
Psychology 865-8235
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Chris Struebing,
Coordinator
Marketing & MIS 865-8468
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Bruce Uden
Clayton Willis
Facilities 865-1800
Gayle Rawlings
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Linda Clark
Human Resources 865-8516
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Deb Gilbertson
Chris Hartford
Kathy Hartmann
Mary Kiehn
Residential & Greek Life 865-8519
Rev. 10/06
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Program Mission
 To overcome the fear of the unknown by
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connecting the new employees to
resources and familiarizing them with the
University of Nebraska system.
Help gain a “sense of place” by achieving
a comfort level at UNK
To help the new employee to become a
member of the UNK Community and guide
them towards training resources
To be an ambassador of good will
Rev. 6/05
3
Goals of the Program
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Provide an opportunity for new employees
to become acclimated to UNK
Assist new employees in acquiring the
knowledge and skills to be successful
university employees
Foster professional development
Encourage a team-oriented work
environment
Enhance communications throughout
campus
Rev. 6/05
4
Benefits of the Program
(New employee)
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Greater job satisfaction
Better performance and higher productivity
Greater awareness of organizational
values/expectations
Early and effective socialization to the organization
Acquisition of new technical, interpersonal and
management skills
Greater access to and awareness of contacts on
campus
Rev. 6/05
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Benefits of the Program
(Mentor)
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Sense of pride when new employee does well
Personal satisfaction in serving UNK
Professional Service to UNK
Satisfaction that new employee will benefit from the
mentor’s experience
Sense of worth due to contribution to the
organization
Exposure to new ideas, technologies, perspectives
through interaction with new employee
Improvement of coaching and counseling skills
Exposure to concerns, issues, and needs of
diverse employees
Rev. 6/05
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Benefits of the Program
(UNK)
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Increased
 Organization Communication
 Productivity
 Staff interaction
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Decreased
 Labor cost
 Labor expense
 Turnover
Rev. 6/05
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Profile of a Mentor
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Willing to commit time and effort
Effective communicator
Flexible and compassionate
Understand and have some knowledge of the
background, needs and interests of new
employees
Familiar with UNK
Willing to share personal and professional
experiences with new employee
Always uses the highest level of personal and
professional ethics
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Roles of a Mentor
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Help build self-confidence
Offer friendship and encouragement
Model good business practices
Explain how the organization works
Coach through problem situation
Offer wise counsel/advice
Encourage professional behavior
Share critical knowledge
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Resources Developed
by the Committee
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Mentor Match Form
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Mentor Guidelines
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Resource Guide
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Website
www.unk.edu/committees/staff_senate/mentor.htm
Rev. 6/05
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Mentor Advantage Forms
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Mentor Match Forms
 Completed by both the new employee and the mentor
 Used to find a good fit between the mentor and the
new employee
 All information is confidential
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Midpoint Form
Ending Form
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Mentor Responsibilities
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Make contacts with new employee
Provide a tour of campus (noting key
contacts/departments)
Make introductions
Invite to university functions/meetings
Answer questions
Complete forms for the program
Promote self-sufficiency
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Communication and Contact
with New Employee
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Determine the best way to communicate & set up
appointments
 E-mail
 Phone
 Personal Visit
Required contacts
 First day of employment (or prior to), if possible
 Weekly for the first month
 Monthly for the next five months
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Provide a Campus Tour
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Campus tour is helpful to a person who is unfamiliar with the
UNK Campus
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Suggested places to visit (campus map is available at
http://www.unk.edu/tools/map.html or in the back of the
employee telephone directory)
Point out building locations
Information Technology
Offices in Founders Hall
Copy Center
Post Office
Rev. 6/05
Public Safety
Facilities (Motor Pool,
Lock Shop)
Publications and Printing
ID Card Office
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Introductions
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Introduce new employee to those in their
building and key contact people on campus
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Helpful Introduction Phrases
 “This is . . .”
 “May I introduce . . . ?”
 “Have you met . . . ?”
 “I would like you to meet . . .”
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Invite to
University Functions
Contact new employee and invite to or
offer to accompany them to campus
functions such as:
 Professional Development Functions
 Receptions
 Loper Luncheon
Rev. 10/06
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Questions to ask the
New Employee
Have you:
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met with Human Resources?
obtained your Employee ID?
purchased your parking permit? Do you know where to park?
been shown how to complete your Time Card and Professional
Leave Request form?
familiarized yourself with the phone system? Do you have a
Campus Directory?
applied for necessary computer applications (Lotus Notes, SAP,
Bogie, etc.)?
signed up for training sessions? Would you like assistance getting
started?
obtained office keys (if applicable)?
been told about emergency procedures for your building? for UNK?
Rev. 6/05
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UNK Resource Guide
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The UNK Resource Guide has been developed to
assist all employees with questions they may have
about the UNK Campus
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Human Resources gives each new employee a
resource guide on their first day of employment.
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Resource Guide may be downloaded at:
http://www.unk.edu/committees/staff_senate/mentor.htm
Rev. 6/05
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Resource Guide Areas
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How Do I Do What?
Whom to See About What?
Who’s That?
Who’s Where?
What’s When?
What’s That?
Where’s That Again?
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Where the Mentor Advantage
Program is Going
Ideas for future development in
the program are to expand the
mentoring program to include
professional and leadership
development.
Rev. 6/05
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Testimonials
“Most of us know what it is like to start a new job
and experience the mixed feelings of excitement
and fear of the unknown. I’m pleased to UNK has
developed a mentoring program for new staff
members to reduce some of those feelings of fear.”
--Dr. Jane Ziebarth-Bovill, Past Chair
UNK Gender Equity Committee
Asst Professor, Teacher Education
Rev. 6/05
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Testimonials
“Being a mentor has provided both of us the
opportunity to exchange ideas, thoughts and
feelings of a personal and professional nature.”
--Elaine Gokie, Assoc Director
UNK Student Records and Registration
Rev. 6/05
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Testimonials
“Serving as a mentor has been a very enjoyable experience.
It has allowed me to share my knowledge of UNK, and to
gain the perspective of someone newly acquainted with our
campus. I strongly support the Mentoring Program, and
encourage all employees to participate, either as a new
employee or as a mentor. Regardless of your role, the
experience will be fun! New employees can acquire the
insights from someone else’s years of experience. Mentors
can gain a fresh perspective and a greater appreciation for
UNK. Sign up today to participate in the Mentoring
Program. You will enjoy it!”
--Kathy Livingston, Past-President
UNK Staff Senate
Director, Institutional Research
Rev. 6/05
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